The Mine Action Support Group (MASG), or Groupe de Soutien à l’Action contre les Mines (GSAM), established in 1998, endeavors to coordinate the humanitarian mine action programs of the world's major donor states, harmonize the prioritization of their respective mine action programs, and increase donor support for mine action where it is most needed.
Currently, 28 donor states comprise the MASG. They are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. In addition, certain international organizations have participated as observers including the United Nations Mine Action Team (UNMAS, UNDP, UNICEF), the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), the Organization of American States, and the ITF Enhancing Human Security.
The MASG serves as a forum for the exchange of information as well as the coordination of financial support and resources. It meets once a year in New York City and adheres to the Chatham House Rule whereby participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed; nor may it be mentioned that the information was received at a meeting of the MASG, without the express consent of the participants(s) or speaker(s). The Chatham House Rule encourages frank and open discussion among meeting participants. However, participants are welcome to submit presentations and reports in electronic format that they have specifically designated to be shared with the public and made transparent to all other donors. If a member has a particular issue or concern it is included on the agenda for discussion.
Chairmanship of the MASG rotates every two years. The United States served as the Chair for 2010 and 2011. Australia is currently serving as the Chair for 2012 and 2013. A small Secretariat collects information, provides reports, organizes meetings, and facilitates assessment and evaluation missions to certain mine affected countries as agreed to by the MASG members.
For more information, visit the MASG website at: http://www.mineaction.org/funding/masg
